Pamela Anderson might have gotten her time in the spotlight, but she’s had to overcome a lot to get there. The actress revealed her traumatic past during the launch of her Pamela Anderson Foundation, dedicated to protecting animals’ rights. During her speech, Anderson revealed why she feels intensely connected to animals.

Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson's love of animals stems from a past of abuse, the star revealed recently.

 

“I feel now might be the time to reveal a few of my most painful memories,” the actress told an audience at a backgammon competition beach party the Foundation, according to the Guardian. “At the risk of over-exposing myself, again, or being inappropriate, again, I thought I might share with you why I am doing this.”

Anderson then told the harrowing story of the various episodes of sexual abuse she had to endure as a child. The abuse started with her babysitter at age six. According to her account, she was later molested by the 25-year-old friend of her older brother. Anderson was 12 at the time.

“This meant I had a hard time trusting humans,” she continued. “My parents tried to keep me safe, but to me, the world was not a safe place. My dad was an alcoholic, my mom worked two jobs, my mom was always crying, dad didn’t always come home.”

Anderson recalls how she then turned to animals for support.

 “I prayed to the whales with my feet in the ocean, my only real friends until I had children,” the 46-year-old said. “My loyalty was with the animal kingdom and I vowed to protect them and only them.”

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Anderson's support of animal rights isn't new. Watch her talking about it below.